Deadly Quake Strikes at Night
A powerful earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck eastern Afghanistan late on Sunday night, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. At least 250 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 500 others sustained injuries, according to Afghan officials. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue in remote areas.
The tremor hit at 11:47 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located near Jalalabad in Nangarhar province. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake had a shallow depth of just 8 kilometers, making it particularly destructive. Less than half an hour later, an aftershock measuring 4.5 rattled the same region.
Villages Reduced to Rubble
Authorities in Nangarhar’s Nurgal district reported that several villages were almost entirely buried under collapsed homes and debris. Many structures in the area were made of mud and stone, unable to withstand the violent shaking. Rescue teams rushed to the scene, but officials acknowledged that communication with remote mountain communities remains limited. This has raised fears that the true scale of the disaster is still unfolding.
“The earthquake has caused severe human and material losses,” Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement. He confirmed that emergency teams from neighboring provinces were dispatched to assist survivors. The government has also appealed for international aid to cope with the scale of the disaster.
Aftershocks and Regional Impact
The initial quake was followed by several aftershocks, which deepened panic among residents. Many families spent the night outdoors, fearing further collapses.
The tremors were felt far beyond Afghanistan’s borders. In Pakistan, strong jolts were reported in major cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Abbottabad, and Swat. Pakistan’s seismological center recorded the quake at a magnitude of 6.0 with a depth of 15 kilometers. At least one aftershock of 4.6 magnitude was reported in northern Pakistan.
So far, no casualties have been reported in Pakistan, though the shaking sent thousands fleeing from their homes in fear.
A Region Prone to Seismic Disasters
Afghanistan sits in a seismically active zone where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide. This makes the country particularly vulnerable to earthquakes, many of which prove deadly due to poor infrastructure.
In June 2022, a 5.9-magnitude quake in Paktika province killed more than 1,000 people and left tens of thousands homeless. That disaster was one of the deadliest in the region in decades.
Aid agencies have long warned that Afghanistan’s weak housing structures, limited medical facilities, and rugged terrain make rescue operations especially challenging after natural disasters.
Ongoing Rescue Operations
As of Monday morning, Afghan authorities confirmed that dozens of search-and-rescue teams were working with heavy machinery and hand tools to dig through rubble. However, survivors in cut-off villages have been forced to use shovels and bare hands to search for loved ones.
Hospitals in Jalalabad and nearby districts are reportedly overwhelmed, with medical staff treating the injured in corridors and temporary tents. The Taliban government has urged humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations and Red Crescent, to provide urgent medical and shelter assistance.
Fears of Rising Death Toll
Officials caution that the number of casualties could rise significantly as emergency teams reach isolated villages. Poor roads, destroyed bridges, and landslides triggered by the quake are slowing access to the worst-hit areas.
International observers say the disaster poses a major test for Afghanistan’s interim government, which has limited resources and remains under sanctions that restrict access to foreign aid.
For now, survivors are bracing for more aftershocks as the country begins counting the human and economic cost of yet another devastating earthquake.
